On the Net

But American poet Walt Whitman’s work has lasted and still is being read, discussed and studied more than 150 years after it was written.

Now a collaboration between The Whitman Archive — which has been working to compile works, photos and biographical data about Whitman since the mid-1990s — and the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program is working to further share Whitman’s work.

The group created what they call the WhitmanWeb, a multimedia online gallery that over the next year will take an in-depth look at one of Whitman’s most famous poems, “Song of Myself.” The group will release the poem in 52 weekly installments, translated into nine languages, including its translation into Persian. So far, the first two installments have been released.

In addition to the poem’s text, there will be photos of Whitman — seemingly aging as the year progresses — commentary about the section, discussion questions and audio recordings.

The project also has partnered with organizations and universities all over the world to help aid in translating and engaging as many people as possible.

IWP director Christopher Merrill said the poem, which was written right before the Civil War, brings up a crisis about the idea of democracy. He said it could be described as an “almanac of the year” because it touches on so many topics, from slavery to available jobs to childbirth.

“He’s addressing the reader, readers in the 1850s and also readers in our age,” Merrill said. “He’s looking into the future and trying to give us a sense of what it means to be alive, to try to make sense of your time on Earth. He is asking really large philosophical questions having to do with what the cosmos is all about.”

Ashley Davidson, IWP program coordinator for outreach and special programs, said the goal of the WhitmanWeb is to bring the poet to a broader readership. She said the project also will give the IWP a chance to foster and deepen relationships with universities worldwide.

“It’s really a way to bring people who are interested in poetry and literature together as if they were together around the same table, even though they are from all over the world,” she said. “I also think that they are also hoping that it will be a springboard for conversations about Whitman and about poetry and really give people from different countries who speak different languages access to the same material and letting them interact with each other.”